A fascinating theory that came out of the Oklo discovery is that radiation from natural nuclear reactors may have given life on Earth the boost it needed to evolve. Ionizing radiation, as released by nuclear reactors, can damage DNA and lead to genetic mutations. Any organism close enough to Oklo to receive radiation but far enough to survive exposure, could have experienced mutations in its genetic code and ultimately developed into other species.
The mere existence of Oklo leads some to believe in other, undiscovered, ancient reactors buried throughout the globe. If radiation from Oklo and other reactors indeed sparked biological mutations two billion years ago, then they could have produced the genetic variations needed for natural selection to create the variety of species we have today.
The mere existence of Oklo leads some to believe in other, undiscovered, ancient reactors buried throughout the globe. If radiation from Oklo and other reactors indeed sparked biological mutations two billion years ago, then they could have produced the genetic variations needed for natural selection to create the variety of species we have today.
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